bike rack

[Calico Jack]

Hi Guys:
I got tired of waiting for Trailmanor to do something with a factory bike rack. Last Friday I took my 3124 to a local trailer dealer. For $150 they made an outstanding welded frame and installed the tube for my bike rack. Total cost was $150. I'm located in Eastern shore of North Carolina and the place was Trailer's Plus in New Bern, NC Very happy with the results.
Calico Jack

[Dave99gst]

That sounds like a more then reasonable price to me

They did a nice job and a lot less $ than the factory one I was quoted. Also the factory one has a 150 pound limit and I bet yours is stronger.

How many bars did they add underneath?
And can you describe or draw the pattern?
What size metal bares are they?
Looks like they did a great job.

If they provided a weight rating, what software did they use to perform the stress analysis.

Or did they just guess?

[Calico Jack]

The stress analysis was very hi tech. It consisted of the 220lb welder and his 260 lb buddy jumping up and down on the tongue tube after they had finished. The scientific conclusion was when the welder said "hell i b'leev that el do er"! I have no doubt that the entire TM could be lifted by the bike rack tube. They fabbed a rectangular frame out of (looks like)2" square steel tubing. Welded it at four points to the TM frame. Then ran the bike rack receiver tube down the center and welded it. It sticks out approx 14" from the bumper and holds our rack and 3 bikes just great.
Jack

I believe that this bounce test is in the category of applied engineering instead of theoretical engineering.

One caution, but it is regarding the bike rack. The rack may want to sway either side to side or front to back or both. I suggest having someone follow you to observe the bouncing and sway behavior so you know what it is.

There is a non zero probability that the bike rack could fail, resulting in dropping all three bikes on the road behind you. I suggest using a cable lock to secure the bikes to the TM frame. This will serve two purposes:

1. it will deter theft if you stop for a while.
2. it will prevent leaving bikes in the middle of the road in the event of a catastrophic failure of the bikes attachment.

We do not put bikes on the back of the TM. I want to see them at all times. When each mountain bike has a value of $10,000 it is prudent to be able to see them.

For the price of one bike I could buy three new motorcycles.

If you plan for the worst then you will be pleasantly surprised when it does not happen.

Sounds like an excellent stress test!
Hey Pop what does a $10k mtn bike look like?

Take a look at the Tour de France, currently running. Although they are road bikes, I doubt if anything in the race costs less than $10,000! A modern component system can run over $5,000 alone, and many of the bikes are one-off customs...

I am not a bike enthusiast although I do enjoy riding mine, but for $10,000 mine better peddle itself.